Transmucosal delivery system

ABSTRACT

A device for delivering a heparinic anticoagulant across a mucosal surface in order to achieve or maintain a therapeutically effective blood level of the heparinic anticoagulant. The device involves a matrix containing a therapeutically effective amount of a heparinic anticoagulant, and a mucoadhesive or other mechanism for maintaining the matrix in contact with the mucosal surface for a time sufficient to allow release of the heparinic anticoagulant to the mucosal surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to transmucosal drug delivery systems. In anotheraspect this invention relates to drug delivery systems containing aheparinic anticoagulant, such as a heparin or a heparin fragment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Transmucosal drug delivery systems are designed to deliver atherapeutically effective amount of drug across a mucosal surface,typically the oral mucosa, of a patient. Delivery of drugs across theoral mucosa avoids hepatic first-pass inactivation, poor or erraticabsorption from the gastro-intestinal tract, inactivation bygastro-intestinal fluids, and other modes of inactivation characteristicof oral drug ingestion. Sustained release adhesive bandages, patches,and the like that contain drugs are known to the art.

Patent Application WO 90/06505 (Scholz et al.) discloses a bioadhesivecomposition comprising drug and a particulate polymeric resin dispersedin a hydrophobic elastomeric component. CARBOPOL™ resins are among thepolymeric resins said to be suitable and the hydrophobic resin can be amixture of VISTANEX™ L100 polyisobutylene and VISTANEX LMMHpolyisobutylene.

Heparin is an anionic polysaccharide of mammalian origin havinganticoagulant properties. It is a heterogeneous mixture of variablysulfated polysaccharide chains composed of repeating units ofD-glucosamine and either L-iduronic or D-glucuronic acids. The molecularweight ranges from 6,000 to 30,000 daltons. Heparin is strongly acidicbecause of its content of covalently linked sulfate and carboxylic acidgroups. In heparin sodium, the acid protons of the sulfate units arepartially replaced by sodium ions. Heparin is biosynthesized and storedin mast cells of various animal tissues, particularly liver, lung orgut. Commercial heparin is isolated from beef lung or pork intestinalmucosa. Heparin is given parenterally for the treatment and prophylaxisof thrombo-embolic disorders and as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy.

Low molecular weight (1500-8000 daltons) heparins are fragments ofheparin with anticoagulant activity. They can be obtained by chemical orenzymatic depolymerization of standard heparin. Commercially availablelow molecular weight heparins differ in their method of production,molecular weight range, chain end groups and degree of sulfation. Likeheparin, these compounds inhibit the action of antithrombin III but theyare characterized by a higher ratio of anti-factor-Xa to anti-thrombinactivity than heparin. Low molecular weight heparins have less effect onplatelet aggregation than heparin. They are used in the treatment andprophylaxis of venous thromboembolism. Therapy may be monitored bymeasurement of plasma anti-factor-Xa activity.

Dalteparin sodium is prepared by the nitrous acid degradation of heparinobtained from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. The majority of thecomponents have a 6-O-sulpho-2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol structure at thereducing end of the chain. The molecular weight of 90% of the componentsis between 2000 and 9000 daltons and the average molecular weight isabout 5000 daltons. The sulfur content is about 11%.

Enoxaparin sodium is prepared by alkaline degradation of heparin benzylester obtained from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. The majority of thecomponents have a 2-O-sulfo-4-enepyranosuronic acid structure at thenon-reducing end and a 2-N,6-O-disulpho-D-glucosamine structure at thereducing end of the chain. The molecular weight ranges between 3500 and5500 daltons and the average molecular weight is about 4500 daltons. Thedegree of sulfation is about 2 per disaccharide unit.

Nadroparin calcium is prepared by nitrous acid degradation of heparinobtained from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. The majority of thecomponents have a 2-O-sulpho-α-L-idopyranosuronic acid structure at thenon-reducing end of the chain and a 6-O-sulpho-2,5-anhydro-D-mannitolstructure at the reducing end of the chain. The average molecular weightis about 4500 daltons. The degree of sulfation is about 2.1 perdisaccharide unit.

Parnaparin sodium is prepared by hydrogen peroxide and copper(II)acetatedegradation of heparin obtained from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. Themajority of the components have a 2-N,6-O-sulpho-2,5-D-glucosaminestructure at the reducing end of the chain. The molecular weight rangesbetween 4000 and 5000 daltons. The degree of sulfation is about 2.15 perdisaccharide unit.

Reviparin sodium is prepared by nitrous acid degradation of heparinobtained from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. The majority of thecomponents have a 2-O-sulpho-α-L-idopyranosuronic acid structure at thenon-reducing end of the chain and a 2-N,6-O-disulpho-D-mannitolstructure at the reducing end of the chain. The molecular weight of 90%of the components is between 2000 and 8000 daltons and the averagemolecular weight is 3500 to 4500 daltons. The degree of sulfation isabout 2.2 per disaccharide unit.

Tinzaparin sodium is prepared by enzymatic degradation of the intestinalmucosa of pigs. The majority of the components have a2-O-sulpho-4-enopyranosuronic acid structure at the non-reducing end ofthe chain and a 2-N,6-O-disulpho-D-glucosamine structure at the reducingend of the chain. The molecular weight of 70% of the components isbetween 1500 and 10,000 daltons and the average molecular weight isabout 4500 daltons. The degree of sulfation is 2.0 to 2.5 perdisaccharide unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a drug delivery device comprising:

a matrix comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a heparinicanticoagulant, and means for maintaining the matrix in contact with amucosal surface for a time sufficient to allow release of the heparin tothe mucosa.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the matrix further comprisesa penetration enhancer. In another preferred embodiment the heparinicanticoagulant is a low molecular weight heparin.

The present invention also provides a method of achieving and/ormaintaining a therapeutically effective blood level of a heparinicanticoagulant in a mammal comprising the steps of:

i) providing a device of the invention;

ii) placing the device in contact with a mucosal surface of the mammal;and

iii) allowing the device to remain in contact with the mucosal surfacefor a time sufficient to establish and/or maintain a therapeuticallyeffective blood level of the heparinic anticoagulant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides drug delivery devices comprising a matrixcontaining a heparinic anticoagulant. The matrix can be in any formsuitable for containing the heparinic anticoagulant and releasing it toa mucosal surface such as, for example, a gel, a tablet, or a powder.

When the matrix is a gel it is preferably an aqueous gel comprising, inaddition to the heparinic anticoagulant, a gel-forming agent. Thegel-forming agent can be any pharmaceutically acceptable agent that iscapable of forming a water based gel and does not have a detrimentaleffect on other components of the matrix. Examples of suitablegel-forming agents include gums (e.g., pectin); montmorillonite clays(e.g., Veegum); crosslinked polysaccharides (e.g., dextran crosslinkedwith epichlorohydrin) and polymeric acrylic resins (e.g., CARBOPOL™resins, B. F. Goodrich, Specialty Polymers and Chemicals Division,Cleveland, Ohio) reacted with a base. Particularly preferred are theCARBOPOL™ resins, such as CARBOPOL™ 934P, CARBOPOL™ EX165, and CARBOPOL™EX214.

When the matrix is in the form of a tablet it preferably contains, inaddition to the heparinic anticoagulant, a pharmaceutically acceptablebinder. Examples of suitable binders include cellulose derivatives suchas carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, orhydroxypropylcellulose; starches such as rice starch; silicas such asAEROSIL™ 200 colloidal silicon dioxide (Degussa Corp, Teeterboro, N.J.)and polymeric acrylic resins such as the CARBOPOL™ resins describedabove.

When the matrix is in the form of a powder it can be a powderedheparinic anticoagulant alone or it can contain additional componentssuch as penetration enhancers (discussed below). Most preferred is alyophilized powder matrix, prepared by lyophilizing an aqueous gel thatcontains the heparinic anticoagulant. Such a lyophilized powder matrix,when used with the preferred mucoadhesive described in detail below, hasbeen found to afford a device having superior adhesion and drug deliverycharacteristics.

A heparinic anticoagulant is present in a device of the invention in atherapeutically effective amount. The amount that constitutes atherapeutically effective amount varies according to the particularheparinic anticoagulant being used, the condition being treated, thesurface area of the matrix, and on the other components present in thematrix containing the heparin. Accordingly it is not practical toenumerate particular preferred amounts but such can be readilydetermined by those skilled in the art with due consideration of thesefactors. Generally, however, in embodiments where the matrix is in theform of a gel, a heparinic anticoagulant is present in an amount ofabout two to about sixty percent, preferably about five to about twentypercent, by weight based on the total weight of the gel. In embodimentswhere the matrix is in the form of a tablet, a heparinic anticoagulantis present in an amount of about one to ninety-five percent, preferablyabout thirty to sixty-five percent, by weight based on the total weightof the tablet. In embodiments where the matrix is in the form of apowder, a heparinic anticoagulant is present in an amount of about oneto ninety-five percent, preferably about thirty to sixty-five percent,by weight based on the total weight of the powder.

The heparinic anticoagulant used in a device of the invention can be anyoligosaccharide having anticoagulant properties. Suitable heparinicanticoagulants include heparins or active fragments and fractionsthereof from natural, synthetic, or biosynthetic sources. Also suitableare derivatives of any of the above (such as salts and esters).Exemplary heparinic anticoagulants include dalteparin sodium, enoxaparinsodium, nadroparin calcium, parnaparin sodium, reviparin sodium, andtinzaparin sodium.

Anti-Xa activity of heparins has been said to arise out of apentasaccharide binding site having the structure ##STR1## wherein R isH or --SO₃ ⁻ and R' is --SO₃ ⁻ or --COCH₃. Synthetic heparinicanticoagulants containing this pentasaccharide sequence are suitable andcan be prepared, e.g., as described in Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.1983, 116, 492 (Choay et al.) and references cited therein.

Other heparinic anticoagulants suitable for use in a device of theinvention include oligosaccharide and mucopolysaccharideglycosaminoglycans such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,724(Petitou et al.), low molecular weight heparins such as those disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,502 (Lormeau et al.), xylan sulfates such asthose disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,713,373 and 4,699,900 (Bayol etal.), and low molecular weight heparins, heparin fragments, heparinfractions such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,918 (Casu etal.), oligosaccharide fractions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,564(Vila et al.), and low molecular weight heparin derivatives disclosed inPatent Application WO92/11294 (Della Valle et al.). Low molecular weightheparins are preferred. Low molecular weight heparin Bioparin BF-611(Bioiberica) is most preferred.

It has been found that incorporation of certain penetration enhancerssignificantly enhances penetration rate of heparinic anticoagulants invivo measured using the rat model described below. Hence, the matrix canfurther comprise a penetration enhancer. Suitable penetration enhancersinclude anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate); cationicsurfactants (e.g., palmitoyl DL carnitine chloride); nonionicsurfactants (e.g., laureth 9, polyoxyethylene 20 stearyl ether,polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether, polyoxyalkylenes); lipids (e.g.,dodecanoyl L-α-phosphatidyl choline); bile salts (sodium deoxycholate,sodium taurodeoxycholate); and related compounds (e.g., sodiumtauro-24,25-dihydrofusidate). The preferred penetration enhancers arenonionic surfactants, particularly laureth 9. The enhancers aredissolved or dispersed substantially uniformly in the matrix.

The matrix can contain other ingredients, for example excipients such asflavorings or dyes and the like in amounts readily determined by thoseskilled in the art.

The device of the invention comprises means for maintaining the matrixin contact with a mucosal surface. Suitable means include adhesivesknown to adhere to mucosa (referred to herein as "mucoadhesives"). Amucoadhesive for use in a device of the invention can be any compositionthat adheres to a mucosal surface. Suitable mucoadhesives include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,615,697 (Robinson) and 5,113,860 (McQuinn)(incorporated herein by reference).

Preferred mucoadhesive compositions include those disclosed in PatentApplication No. WO 90/06505 incorporated herein by reference. Suchpreferred mucoadhesives comprise:

1) a particulate polymeric resin with an average particle size of lessthan or equal to about 100 μm, preferably between about 1 μm and about80 μm, more preferably between about 1 μm and about 30 μm, and mostpreferably between about 2 μm and about 10 μm, and comprising at leastabout 55% by weight of carboxylic acid moleties based on the totalweight of the polymeric resin; and

2) from about 20 parts to about 250 parts by weight of a hydrophobicelastomeric component, preferably about 20 parts to about 150 parts, andmost preferably 25 to about 75 parts by weight, based on 100 parts byweight of the resin;

wherein the resin is dispersed substantially throughout the elastomericcomponent, and which composition contains less than about 10%,preferably less than about 6%, more preferably less than about 4%, andmost preferably less than about 2% by weight of water based on the totalweight of the resin.

The polymeric resin component of the preferred mucoadhesive comprises atleast about 55% by weight of carboxylic acid moieties based on the totalweight of the resin. Suitable carboxylic acid-containing monomersinclude acrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid,methacrylic acid, and the like, and combinations thereof. Acrylic acidis preferred. The polymeric resin can also comprise minor amounts (e.g.,less than about 20 percent by weight based on the total weight of allmonomers in the polymer) of comonomers that are polymerizable with thecarboxylic acid-containing monomer, such as methyl vinyl ether, loweralkyl (meth) acrylates, and the like.

Linear polyacrylic acid resins with a molecular weight between about400,000 and about 5,000,000 have been found to be suitable for use in acomposition of the invention. More preferred, however, are crosslinkedresins. Most preferred resins include those comprising polyacrylic acidwith a molecular weight between about 750,000 and about 4,000,000,preferably about 2,000,000 to about 4,000,000, and more preferably about3,000,000, crosslinked with about 0.75% to about 2% by weight, based onthe total weight of the resin, of a polyalkenyl polyether such as anallyl ether of sucrose or an allyl ether of pentaerythritol.Particularly preferred resins of this type include the resins availableunder the trade designation CARBOPOL™ resin (e.g., CARBOPOL™ resinsEX165, EX214, 910, 934, 934P, 941, 951, and 1342 from B. F. GoodrichCo., Specialty Polymers and Chemical Division, Cleveland, Ohio). Anothersuitable resin is "polycarbophil", A. H. Robins Co., Richmond, Va., anddescribed in USP XX as a polyacrylic acid crosslinked withdivinylglycol.

The carboxylic acid moieties in the resin can be present as formalprotonated carboxylic acid functional groups or as neutralizedcarboxylate salts. For example, a polyacrylic acid resin or acrosslinked resin such as those enumerated above can be partiallyneutralized by a base of an alkali metal, or by a base of a divalent ortrivalent metal (e.g., Zn⁺², Ca⁺², Mg⁺², or Al⁺³). Basic polyamines suchas Eudragit E™ (a copolymer of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate andneutral methacrylates, Rohm Pharma, Weiterstadt, Germany) are alsosuitable for use in neutralizing a resin. Preferred bases include NaOH.

Examples of materials suitable for use in an elastomeric component inthese preferred mucoadhesives include: hydrocarbons such as blockstyrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers and block styrene-isoprene-styrenecopolymers, such as those available from Shell Chemical Co. as Kraton™rubbers, polyolefins such as polyisobutylenes such as VISTANEX™ LM-MHpolyisobutylene (viscosity average molecular weight about 53,000),VISTANEX™ L-80 polyisobutylene (viscosity average molecular weight about900,000), and VISTANEX™ L-100 polyisobutylene (viscosity averagemolecular weight about 1,200,000), all from Exxon Chemical, HoustonTex., polybutadienes, butyl rubber (a copolymer of isobutylene andisoprene), and isoprene rubbers, e.g., polyisoprene (such as thatavailable as LIR-50 polyisoprene from Arakawa Chemical Co., Chicago,Ill. and NATSYN™ polyisoprene from Goodyear, Akron, Ohio);functionalized polyolefins such as functional polyisoprenes, e.g.,carboxy-functional polyisoprenes (such as that available as LIR-410polyisoprene, also from Arakawa) and hydroxy-functional polyisoprenes(such as that available as LIR-506 polyisoprene, Arakawa); and mixturesand blends of two or more of the foregoing. Hydrocarbons are the mostpreferred materials for use in an elastomeric component.

A device of the invention preferably comprises a backing. The backingcan be any flexible film that prevents bulk fluid flow, provides abarrier to loss of heparinic anticoagulant and is substantially inert tothe ingredients of the matrix. The backing material can be any of theconventional materials used as backings for tapes or dressings such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer,polyurethane and the like. Also, a layer of hydrophobic elastomer canfunction as a backing. Preferred backing materials include an acrylatepressure sensitive adhesive coated polyurethane film such as TEGADERM™surgical dressing (3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a device, generally designated by reference numeral 10.Device 10 represents an embodiment of the invention comprising (i) abacking layer, (ii) a matrix adjacent one surface of the backing layerand comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a heparinicanticoagulant, the matrix having a smaller periphery than the backinglayer such that a portion of the backing layer extends outward from theperiphery of the matrix, and (iii) a mucoadhesive layer that covers theoutward extending portion of the backing layer. The underside of backinglayer 12 carries a layer of mucoadhesive 14 around its periphery. Thebacking 12 and the peripheral ring of mucoadhesive 14 taken togetherform reservoir 16. Reservoir 16 contains a matrix 18 with a heparinicanticoagulant 19 dispersed through it.

The device of FIG. 2, generally designated by reference numeral 20, issimilar in design to the device of FIG. 1 except that backing 22 coverssubstantially all of device 20 other that the portion intended to be indirect contact with a mucosal surface.

It has been found that there is an optimal rate of hydration of thepreferred mucoadhesive described above. Depending upon the particulartype of matrix present in a device of the invention, mucoadhesivehydration via the walls of reservoir 16 in FIGS. 1 or 2 can occur at afaster than optimal rate, resulting in premature loss of adhesion.

FIG. 3 shows device 30 similar in design to device 20 of FIG. 2. Device30 comprises barrier element 24 between matrix 19 and mucoadhesive 14and reservoir 16 containing matrix 18. Barrier element 24 serves toisolate the mucoadhesive from the matrix. It is preferably substantiallyimpermeable to water and to the mucosal fluids that will be present atthe intended site of adhesion. A device having such a barrier elementcan be hydrated only through a surface that is in contact with themucosa, and it is not hydrated via the reservoir. This configurationtherefore is particularly desirable in an embodiment employing anaqueous gel as the matrix.

A device of the invention can be prepared by general methods well knownto those skilled in the art. The preferred mucoadhesives can be preparedaccording to the methods set forth in Patent Application No. WO90/06505. Likewise a matrix can be readily prepared by those skilled inthe art.

When the matrix is in the form of a gel, it is prepared by firstcombining water and the gel-forming agent to form a gel. Optionalexcipients such as penetration enhancers are added and mixed in to forma homogeneous gel followed by the addition of the heparinicanticoagulant with mixing to homogeneity to afford a gel formulation.When the matrix is in the form of a tablet, a bulk powder formulation isinitially prepared by combining the binding agent with optionalexcipients such as a penetration enhancer to form a homogenous mixture,then the heparinic anticoagulant is added and mixed to homogeneity. Thebulk powder is then compressed using conventional means to form tablets.When the matrix is in the form of a powder, a bulk powder formulation asprepared for the tablets can be used or, alternatively, a gelformulation can be lyophilized to provide a powder.

Devices of the invention such as those represented by FIGS. 1, 2, and 3can be prepared by die cutting a sheet of mucoadhesive into individualpatches such that a central portion of the patch is removed (e.g., apatch in the shape of a ring with an inner diameter of 1.3 cm and anouter diameter of 2.5 cm). A backing is then laminated to one surface ofthe mucoadhesive patch resulting in the formation of a reservoir. Amatrix containing a heparinic anticoagulant is then placed into thereservoir portion. Alternatively, a device involving a lyophilizedpowder matrix can be prepared by first preparing an aqueous gel matrix,filling it into the reservoir, and lyophilizing the resulting device.

A device of the invention can be used to treat conditions capable oftreatment with a heparinic anticoagulant (e.g., treatment andprophylaxis of venous thromb-embolism). Generally, a device of theinvention is applied to a mucosal surface, such as the oral mucosa,e.g., the buccal mucosa or gingival mucosa, of a mammal and allowed toremain for a time sufficient to establish or maintain a therapeuticallyeffective blood level of the heparinic anticoagulant in order to achievethe intended therapeutic effect. The time period during which the deviceis to remain in place depends on the particular device and on theintended therapeutic effect. Appropriate time periods can be readilyselected by those skilled in the art.

Procedures and test methods used in connection with devices of theinvention are set forth below.

IN VITRO PENETRATION TEST METHOD

Release of heparinic anticoagulant from a particular matrix isdetermined using a diffusion cell according to the following method.

A polyvinylpyrrolidone/cellulose acetate hydrogel is prepared in thefollowing manner. A 9.6 g portion of polyvinylpyrrolidone (averagemolecular weight of 360,000; Aldrich Chemical Company) and a 2.4 gportion of cellulose acetate are dried at 100° C. under vacuum for 1hour and then allowed to cool to ambient temperature in a desiccator.The dried materials are combined in a glass jar with acetone (108 mL)and methanol (12 mL). The jar is flushed with nitrogen, sealed and thenplaced on a mixer for at least 12 hours. A spin-caster cylinder is linedwith a silicon release liner, placed in the spin-caster and then purgedwith nitrogen for 20 minutes. The nitrogen line is removed, a portion ofthe polyvinylpyrrolidone/cellulose acetate solution is injected into thecylinder, the nitrogen line is reattached and the spin caster is run forat least 12 hours. The resulting dry hydrogel is removed from thecylinder and stored in a jar. Prior to use the hydrogel is hydrated indemineralized water for at least 30 minutes.

A section of hydrated hydrogel is mounted onto the lower (receptor cell)portion of a diffusion cell (2 cm² unless otherwise indicated). Thematrix to be tested is placed in the center of the section of hydrogelthen the upper (donor cell) portion of the diffusion cell is clampedonto the lower portion. A portion of water is added to the receptor cellsufficient for the water to contact the hydrogel. The sampling port iscovered with PARAFILM™ laboratory film. The diffusion cell is thenplaced on a heat magnetic stirrer at 37° C. All those cells and themagnetic stirrer are placed in a plexiglass box in order to maintain anenvironment of 37° C. around the cells. The medium in the receptor cellis stirred throughout the experiment by means of a magnetic stir bar.The entire volume of medium is removed from the receptor cell atspecified time intervals and immediately replaced with fresh medium.

The withdrawn medium is analyzed for heparinic anticoagulant as follows.A sample is diluted as appropriate with demineralized water or withisotonic saline medium (0.2% NaCl in water). A 5 mL portion of thediluted sample is placed in a centrifuge tube. A 2.5 mL portion oftoluidine blue solution (0.005% toluidine blue in 0.2% saline solution)is added to the tube which is then placed in a vortex mixer for 30seconds. Hexanes (5 mL) is added to the tube which is then vortexed for30 seconds. The tube is centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes. Theorganic and aqueous phases are separated. The aqueous phase is putthrough a 0.45 μm filter and the absorbance of the filtrate at 625 nm isdetermined using a spectrophotometer. Results are reported as thecumulative percent of the heparinic anticoagulant originally present inthe matrix that has penetrated the hydrogel and passed into the medium.

IN VIVO RAT MODEL

The in vivo delivery of heparinic anticoagulant from a gel is determinedusing a rat model.

This method uses rats of 220 to 500 grams in weight. Wistar rats are thepreferred strain. The rats are anesthetized with ether and then a 2 cmvertical incision is made first through the skin and then through theunderlying muscle. The esophagus is isolated and tied off with asurgical ligature. The incision is closed with a surgical stapler. Aftersurgery the rats are dosed with the gel by syringe administration withhalf of the total dose in each cheek. The rats are slightlyreanesthesized for dosing and blood withdrawal. Blood samples arewithdrawn at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours post dose. Heparinic anticoagulantconcentrations in plasma are determined by an enzymatic method measuringanti Xa using a test kit (Stachrom™ Heparin from Diagnostica Stago, 9rue des Freres Chausson, 92600 Asnieres-sur Seine, France). Results arereported as the number of anti Xa units per mL of plasma.

IN VIVO DOG MODEL

The in vivo delivery of heparinic anticoagulant from a device of theinvention is determined using a dog model.

This method uses male and female Beagle dogs, from 14 to 20 kg. Twodevices of the invention are placed on either the cheek buccal area oron the gum. Blood samples are withdrawn at specified times and plasmalevels of heparinic anticoagulant are determined as described above inconnection with the rat model.

PREPARATION OF MUCOADHESIVE

Solvent Casting

A mucoadhesive containing 50 percent by weight CARBOPOL™ 934P resin (B.F. Goodrich), 20 percent by weight of VISTANEX™ L100 polyisobutylene and30 percent by weight of VISTANEX™ LMMH polyisobutylene (Exxon ChemicalCompany) was prepared as follows.

A sample of CARBOPOL 934P resin (100 g) was placed in 200 g of a 1:1(v/v) mixture of toluene and hexane. The solution was stirred for 5minutes. A stock solution containing VISTANEX LM-MH (60 g) and VISTANEXL-100 (40 g) in a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of toluene and hexane (192.3 g) wasprepared and added. The combined mixture was stirred for 1 hour at roomtemperature.

A sheet material was prepared by knife coating the above preparedsolution onto a siliconized release liner at a wet thickness of about 3mm and drying for 3 hours at 30° C. Patches of the desired shape andsize were die-cut from the sheet and a backing applied as desired.

Milling

A composition was prepared using a two-roll mill as follows:

A polyisobutylene (43.75 g of VISTANEX LM-MH) was added to aFarrell-Birminghan two-roll mill and milled until it was distributed onthe rollers. A polyisoprene (6.25 g NATSYN 2210, Goodyear) was added andmilling was continued until a substantially homogeneous mixture wasobtained. CARBOPOL 934P (50 g) was added slowly with milling and millingwas continued until a uniform composition was obtained. It was necessaryto periodically remove the material from the rollers, form it into aball, and remill. The composition was removed from the mill by scrapingthe rollers.

A sample of the composition was pressed between two sheets ofsiliconized coated release liner in a platen press heated to about 40°C. to afford a laminate having a thickness of about 1 mm. Patches of thedesired shape and size were die-cut from the sheet and a backing appliedas desired.

PREPARATION OF THE SODIUM SALT OF CARBOPOL RESIN

CARBOPOL resin (40 g) is added with vigorous stirring to a solutioncontaining sodium hydroxide (16 g) in methanol (340 mL). The resultingmixture is stirred for 7 hours then allowed to stand at ambientconditions for about 48 hours. The mixture is stirred again then thesalt is dried in an oven at 65° C. for 3 to 4 hours. The dried salt isstored in a bottle under

TABLET PREPARATION TABLET 1

A bulk powder was prepared by blending the sodium salt of CARBOPOL 934Presin (0.023 g) with sodium chloride (0.023 g) in a mortar. Sodiumdodecyl sulfate (0.07 g, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) was then blended intothe mixture followed by low molecular weight heparin (0.14 g, meanmolecular weight 5200, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain). Individualportions of this bulk powder formulation were weighed out thencompressed by hand to form tablets. The composition of the resultingtablet is shown in Table 1 below where all amounts are in mg.

TABLETS 2-6

Using the general method set forth above in connection with Tablet 1, aseries of bulk powder formulations were prepared and compressed intotablets. The compositions are shown in Table 1 below where all amountsare in mg.

TABLET 7

A bulk powder formulation was prepared by slowly adding Laureth-9 (0.07g, C₁₂ H₂₅ (OCH₂ CH₂)_(n) OH where n has an average value of 9, Sigma)to a mixture of the sodium salt of CARBOPOL 934P resin (0.023 g) andAEROSIL 200 (0.035 g, colloidal silicon dioxide, Degussa Corp,Teeterboro, N.J.) in a mortar and then blending to provide a homogeneousmixture. Sodium chloride (0.023 g) was blended into the mixture followedby the low molecular weight heparin (0.14 g, mean molecular weight 5200,Bioiberica, BarCelona, Spain). The resulting powder was compressed toform tablets. The composition of the individual tablets is shown inTable 1 below where all amounts are in mg.

Release from Tablets 1-7 was determined using the in vitro test methoddescribed above. The results are shown in Table 2 below where each valuerepresents the average from 3 diffusion cells.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Tablet Number                                                       Ingredient  1      2      3    4    5    6    7                               ______________________________________                                        CARBOPOL 934P                                                                             2.3     1.15  --   --   --   --    1.15                           sodium salt                                                                   Carboxymethyl-                                                                            --     --     --   2.3  --   --   --                              cellulose.sup.1                                                               Rice starch.sup.2                                                                         --     --     --   --   2.3  --   --                              CARBOPOL 910                                                                              --     --     --   --   --   2.3  --                              sodium salt                                                                   Sodium dodecyl                                                                            7      7      7    7    7    7    --                              sulfate                                                                       Laureth-9   --     --     --   --   --   --   7                               AEROSIL 200 --     --     --   --   --   --   3.5                             Sodium chloride                                                                           2.3    2.3    2.3  2.3  2.3  2.3  2.3                             Low molecular                                                                             14     14     14   14   14   14   14                              weight heparin                                                                ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Carboxymethylcellulose 7H4XF from Hercules                             .sup.2 Rice starch from Lambert & Riviere                                

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Released                                           Time (hours)                                                                  Tablet                                                                              1          3         5         24                                       ______________________________________                                        1       10 ± 0.06                                                                           20.4 ± 0.06                                                                          28.2 ± 0.31                                                                          41.5 ± 0.21                           2       14 ± 1.47                                                                           23.5 ± 1.04                                                                          34.0 ± 0.87                                                                          45.1 ± 0.95                           3     14.3 ± 1.15                                                                           25.3 ± 1.85                                                                          36.2 ± 2.99                                                                          52.0 ± 3.64                           4     14.8 ± 0.4                                                                            19.3 ± 1.3                                                                           27.4 ± 1.1                                                                           34.1 ± 1.62                           5     14.6 ± 0.45                                                                           28.2 ± 1.14                                                                          28.2 ± 1.14                                                                          44.8 ± 1.08                           6     11.8 ± 1.82                                                                           20.7 ± 1.59                                                                          29.7 ± 0.35                                                                          44.3 ± 0.35                           7     43.7 ± 2.01                                                                           59.8 ± 2.01                                                                          76.2 ± 1.88                                                                          90.1 ± 1.76                           ______________________________________                                    

TABLETS 8-13

Using the general method set forth above in connection with Tablet 1,except that the sodium chloride was omitted, a series of bulk powderformulations was prepared then compressed into tablets having an area of0.5 cm². The composition of the individual tablets is shown in Table 3below where all amounts are in mg. Release from these tablets wasdetermined using the in vitro test method described above. The resultsare shown in Table 4 below where each value is the average of 3diffusion cells.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                                     Tablet Number                                                    Ingredient     8      9      10   11   12   13                                ______________________________________                                        CARBOPOL 934P sodium                                                                         --     --     2.3  --   --   2.3                               salt                                                                          Hydroxypropylmethyl-                                                                         2.3    --     --   2.3  --   --                                cellulose.sup.1                                                               Hydroxypropylcellulose.sup.2                                                                        2.3    --   --   2.3  --                                Sodium dodecyl sulfate                                                                       7      7      7    --   --   --                                Sodium taurodihydro-                                                                         --     --     --   7    7    7                                 fusidate.sup.3                                                                Low molecular weight                                                                         14     14     14   14   14   14                                heparin.sup.4                                                                 ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 METOLOSE ™ 90SH 15000, Seppic                                       .sup.2 LHPCLH-21, Seppic                                                      .sup.3 Leo                                                                    .sup.4 BF611, mean molecular weight 3950 to 4400, Bioiberica, Barcelona,      Spain                                                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Released                                           Time (hours)                                                                  Tablet                                                                              1         3          5        24                                        ______________________________________                                         8    19.3 ± 0.61                                                                          25.9 ± 1.48                                                                           29.8 ± 2.97                                                                         45.3 ± 7.13                             9    16.6 ± 1.63                                                                          28.3 ± 6.08                                                                           37.0 ± 5.8                                                                          50.0 ± 12.6                            10     6.3 ± 3.43                                                                          17.3 ± 5.14                                                                           25.2 ± 9.05                                                                         42.0 ± 5.95                            11    61.6 ± 4.01                                                                          86.6 ± 3.09                                                                            100 ± 2.46                                                                           104.2                                   12    36.0 ± 8.06                                                                           50.3 ± 10.47                                                                          59.3 ± 13.15                                                                        73.5 ± 12.09                          13    40.4 ± 7.18                                                                          77.3 ± 6.06                                                                           87.0 ± 8.79                                                                         96.2 ± 2.85                            ______________________________________                                    

TABLETS 14-20

Using the general methods described above, a series of tablets (0.25cm²) was prepared in which a variety of pluronic acids (BASF) served asthe penetration enhancers. The composition of the individual tablets isshown in Table 5 below where all amounts are in mg. Release from thesetablets was determined using the in vitro test method described above.The results are shown in Table 6 below where each value is the averageof 3 diffusion cells.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Tablet Number                                                       Ingredient  14     15     16   17   18   19   20                              ______________________________________                                        CARBOPOL 934P                                                                             2.3    2.3    2.3  2.3  2.3  2.3  2.3                             sodium salt                                                                   Pluronic acid F77                                                                         7      --     --   --   --   --   --                              Pluronic acid F87                                                                         --     7      --   --   --   --   --                              Pluronic acid F68                                                                         --     --     7    --   --   --   --                              Pluronic acid F88                                                                         --     --     --   7    --   --   --                              prill                                                                         Pluronic acid F127                                                                        --     --     --   --   7    --   --                              NF                                                                            Pluronic acid F108                                                                        --     --     --   --   --   7    --                              prill                                                                         Pluronic acid F108                                                                        --     --     --   --   --   --   7                               NF                                                                            Low molecular                                                                             14     14     14   14   14   14   14                              weight heparin.sup.1                                                          ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 BF611                                                             

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Released                                           Time (hours)                                                                  Tablet                                                                              1          3         5        24                                        ______________________________________                                        14    51.6 ± 7                                                                              58.4 ± 5.47                                                                            59 ± 4.35                                                                         59.1 ± 4.47                            15    60.6 ± 4.48                                                                           92.3 ± 0.97                                                                          92.3 ± 0.97                                                                         92.3 ± 0.97                            16    66.4 ± 6.82                                                                           94.5 ± 4.23                                                                          101.4 ± 2.82                                                                        101.7 ± 2.78                           17    76.6 ± 3.18                                                                           91.7 ± 3.78                                                                          96.5 ± 3.90                                                                         101.4 ± 5.65                           18    59.0 ± 5.2                                                                              81 ± 6.65                                                                          82.2 ± 5.71                                                                         82.8 ± 5.21                            19    63.9 ± 1.41                                                                           84.5 ± 4.6                                                                           92.7 ± 2.92                                                                         98.2 ± 3.13                            20    71.5 ± 3.30                                                                           93.5 ± 2.19                                                                          93.5 ± 2.19                                                                         93.6 ± 2.39                            ______________________________________                                    

GEL FORMULATIONS Gel Formulation 1

Sodium hydroxide (96 mL of 1N) was added to a dispersion of CARBOPOL934P resin (8 g) in demineralized water (qs 200 mL); the systemthickened almost immediately to provide a clear stiff gel. Sodiumdodecyl sulfate was added to the gel and mixed to homogeneity. Lowmolecular weight heparin (mean molecular weight from 3450 to 4004,Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain) was added. Release was determined usingthe in vitro test method described above by spreading 150 mg portions ofthe formulation (each portion contained 128 mg gel, 7 mg sodium dodecylsulfate and 15 mg of heparin) onto the hydrogel mounted in the diffusioncell. The results are shown in Table 7 below where each value is theaverage of 3 diffusion cells.

Gel Formulation 2

A gel formulation was prepared and tested according to the method aboveexcept that the sodium dodecyl sulfate was replaced with Laureth-9.

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Release                                            Time        Gel         Gel                                                   (hours)     Formulation 1                                                                             Formulation 2                                         ______________________________________                                        1           17.9 ± 0 23.4 ± 0.99                                        3           43.75 ± 1.48                                                                           51.5 ± 1.94                                        5           61.9 ± 1.84                                                                            66.3 ± 0.85                                        24          85.4 ± 1.84                                                                            83.8 ± 1.67                                        ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulations 3-5

A series of dextran gel formulations was prepared by slowly adding waterto a mixture containing the several ingredients listed in Table 8 below.The compositions are shown in Table 8 below where all amounts are in mg.Release was determined as described in connection with Gel Formulation 1and is shown in Table 9 below where each value is the average of 3diffusion cells.

                  TABLE 8                                                         ______________________________________                                                       Gel Formulation                                                Ingredient       3         4       5                                          ______________________________________                                        SEPHADEX ™ G50-150.sup.1                                                                    12.8      --      --                                         SEPHADEX G25-300.sup.1                                                                         --        12.8    --                                         PDX ™ 6F 50-150.sup.1                                                                       --        --      15.36                                      Water            115.2     115.2   112.64                                     Laureth-9        7         7       7                                          Low molecular weight heparin                                                                   15        15      15                                         ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Sigma                                                             

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Release                                            Time                                                                          (hours) Gel 3         Gel 4     Gel 5                                         ______________________________________                                        1       20.4 ± 0.14                                                                              61.0 ± 8.13                                                                          38.2 ± 22.4                                3       32.5 ± 2.26                                                                              63.8 ± 4.17                                                                          79.8 ± 5.3                                 5       32.5 ± 2.26                                                                              63.8 ± 4.17                                                                          83.4 ± 0.14                                24      32.5 ± 2.26                                                                              63.8 ± 4.17                                                                          88.6 ± 2.19                                ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulation 6

A gel was prepared according to the method set forth above in connectionwith Gel Formulation 1. Standard heparin (molecular weight 10,000-15,000with anti Xa of 185 units/mg, AKZO) was added at a concentration rangeof 0 to 100 mg of heparin per mL of gel. In vivo delivery was determinedusing the rat model described above. Each rat was dosed with 0.2 mL ofgel formulation to provide the dose of heparin indicated in Table 10.The results are shown in Table 10 below.

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean anti Xa activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                               Heparin dose (mg/rat)                                                Time (hours)                                                                             1       3         5    10     20                                   ______________________________________                                        0          -0.03   -0.03     0.00 0.02   -0.03                                1          -0.03   0.07      0.17 0.24   0.39                                 2          -0.07   0.02      0.23 0.33   0.41                                 3          -0.09   -0.02     0.15 0.26   0.40                                 4          -0.03   -0.01     0.13 0.21   0.36                                 Number of rats                                                                           3       3         8    29     8                                    ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulation 7

A gel was prepared according to the method set forth above in connectionwith Gel Formulation 1. Low molecular weight heparin (molecular weight3132, mean molecular weight 3450 daltons with anti Xa of 138 units/mg,Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain) was added to the gel at a concentrationrange of 0 to 100 mg of heparin per mL of gel. In vivo delivery wasdetermined using the rat model described above. Each rat was dosed with0.2 mL of gel to provide the dose indicated in Table 11. The results areshown in Table 11 below.

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                                    Dose (mg heparin/rat)                                           Time (hours)    2         5                                                   ______________________________________                                        0               0.02      0.02                                                1               0.10      0.61                                                2               0.16      1.25                                                3               0.16      1.24                                                4               -0.07     0.94                                                Number of rats  2         6                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulation 8

A gel was prepared according to the method set forth above in connectionwith Gel Formulation 2. Laureth-9 was incorporated at 0, 2, 5 and 10percent by weight based on the total weight of the gel formulation. Lowmolecular weight heparin (molecular weight 3132, mean molecular weight3450 daltons with anti Xa of 138 units/mg, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain)was incorporated at a concentration of 10 mg of heparin per mL of gel.In vivo delivery was determined using the rat model described above.Each rat was dosed with hepari per rat. The results are shown in Table12 below.

                  TABLE 12                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                                 Laureth-9 concentration                                                       (weight percent)                                                   Time (hours) 0       2         5     10                                       ______________________________________                                        0            0.02    -0.05     -0.06 0.01                                     1            0.10    0.63      1.44  1.68                                     2            0.16    0.99      1.84  1.54                                     3            0.16    0.60      1.50  0.96                                     4            -0.07   0.51      0.80  0.52                                     Number of rats                                                                             2       4         11    4                                        ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulation 9

A gel was prepared according to the method set forth above in connectionwith Gel Formulation 1. Laureth-9 was incorporated into the gel at 0 and5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the gel formulation.Low molecular weight heparin (molecular weight 3132, mean molecularweight 3450 daltons) with anti Xa of 138 units/mg, Bioiberica,Barcelona, Spain) was incorporated at a concentration of 25 mg ofheparin per mL of gel. In vivo delivery was determined using the ratmodel described above. Each rat was dosed with 0.2 mL of gel formulationto provide a dose of 5 mg of heparin per rat. The results are shown inTable 13 below.

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                                       Laureth-9                                                                     Concentration                                                                 (weight percent)                                             Time (hours)       0      5                                                   ______________________________________                                        0                  0.02   0.00                                                1                  0.61   4.27                                                2                  1.25   3.99                                                3                  1.24   4.34                                                4                  0.94   2.80                                                Number of rats     6      6                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulation 10

A formulation was prepared according to the method set forth above inconnection with Gel Formulation 1 except that the sodium dodecyl sulfatewas eliminated and Brij 58 (polyoxyethylene 20 stearyl ether, Sigma) orBrij 78 (polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether, Sigma) was incorporated at 0and 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the gelformulation. Low molecular weight heparin (mean molecular weight 3949daltons with anti Xa of 113 units/mg, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain) wasincorporated at a concentration of 25 mg of heparin per mL of gel. Invivo delivery was determined using the rat model described above. Eachrat was dosed with 0.2 mL of gel formulation to provide a dose of 5 mgof heparin per rat. The results are shown in Table 14 below.

                  TABLE 14                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                      Time (hours)                                                                             Brij 58     Brij 78 no enhancer                                    ______________________________________                                        0          -0.31       -0.7    -0.3                                           1          1.8         1.9     0.04                                           2          3.4         3.0     0.09                                           3          4.7         2.6     0.04                                           4          4.7         1.9     0.18                                           5          3.3         1.4     -0.08                                          6          2.1         1.0     -0.33                                          Number of  2           2       3                                              rats                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

Gel Formulation 11

A formulation was prepared according to the method set forth above inconnection with Gel Formulation 1, except that the sodium dodecylsulfate was eliminated and the penetration enhancers shown in Table 15below were incorporated at 2, 5 and/or 10 percent by weight based on thetotal weight of the gel formulation. Low molecular weight heparin (meanmolecular weight from 3450 to 4950 daltons with anti Xa of 65 to 144units/mg, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain) was incorporated atconcentrations of 10, 25 and 50 mg of heparin per mL of gel. In vivodelivery was determined using the rat model described above. Each ratwas dosed with 0.2 mL of gel formulation to provide the dose of heparinshown in Table 15, wherein "n" designates the number of rats studied.The values obtained were used to calculate the promoting effect (P foreach formulation. The promoting effect was calculated using the equationgiven below: ##EQU1## where: Cmax (H) is equal to the maximal anti Xaactivity in plasma after heparin administration without enhancer andCmax (H+E) is equal to the maximal anti Xa activity in plasma afterheparin administration with the enhancer. The results are shown in Table15 below.

                  TABLE 15                                                        ______________________________________                                                           Heparin                                                                       dose                                                       Enhancer (wt percent)                                                                            (mg/rat)   P %     n                                       ______________________________________                                        Laurocapram.sup.1 + propylene glycol                                                             5           -78    4                                       (2%)                                                                          Isopropyl myristate (5%)                                                                         5           -58    2                                       Sodium glycocholate.sup.2 (5%)                                                                   5           -50    2                                       Laurocapram (5%)   5           -39    2                                       Pyrrolidone (5%)   5           -31    2                                       CHAPS.sup.3 (5%)   5           +2     5                                       Sodium deoxycholate.sup.2 (2%)                                                                   5          +117    4                                       Sodium deoxycholate (5%)                                                                         5          +122    5                                       Sodium dodecyl sulfate (5%)                                                                      5          +189    5                                       Laureth-9 (5%)     5          +300    7                                       Laureth-9 (2%)     2          +455    4                                       Laureth-9 (5%)     2          +955    4                                       Laureth-9 (10%)    2          +825    4                                       Sodium taurodeoxycholate.sup.2 (5%)                                                              5           +47    4                                       Sodium taurodihydrofusidate.sup.2                                                                10         +450    3                                       (10%)                                                                         Palmitoyl DL carnitine                                                                           10         +142    3                                       chloride (10%)                                                                L-α-Phosphatidylcholine,                                                                   10         +102    3                                       dodecanoyl.sup.2                                                              ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 AZONE ™, Nelson Research and Development, Irvine, CA                .sup.2 Sigma                                                                  .sup.3 3[(3Chloramidopropyl)dimethylammonio1-propanesulfonate, Sigma     

EXAMPLE 1

A sheet of mucoadhesive (50% CARBOPOL 934P, 20% VISTANEX L100; 30%VISTANEX LMMH; prepared according to the solvent casting methoddescribed above) was die cut into rings having an outer diameter of 2.52cm, an inner diameter of 1.38 cm and a thickness of 1 to 1.4 mm. A layerof TEGADERM™ surgical dressing was laminated to one side of the ringsuch that both the open area and the mucoadhesive were overlaid with thebacking.

A gel was prepared according to the method set forth above in connectionwith Gel Formulation 1. Laureth-9 was incorporated at 2, 5 and 10percent by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. Lowmolecular weight heparin (mean molecular weight 3450 daltons with antiXa of 138 units/mg, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain) was incorporated at aconcentration of 100 mg of heparin per mL of gel. The formulations wereplaced into the reservoir portions of the devices.

The in vivo delivery of low molecular weight heparin from these deviceswas then determined using the dog model described above. The deviceswere attached to the cheek areas. Two devices, each containing the samegel formulation, were used in each dog. The results are shown in Table16 below.

                  TABLE 16                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                                Laureth-9 Concentration                                             Time      (weight percent)                                                    (hours)   2         5           10                                            ______________________________________                                        0         -0.07     -0.06 ± 0.01                                                                           0.04 ± 0.10                                1         0.03      -0.05 ± 0.08                                                                           0.12 ± 0.02                                2         0.02      0.23 ± 0.11                                                                            0.35 ± 0.08                                3         0.07      0.29 ± 0.04                                                                            0.42 ± 0.18                                4         0.14      --          0.36 ± 0.26                                5         0.13      --          0.27 ± 0.27                                6         0.11      --          --                                            Number of 1         2           3                                             dogs                                                                          Dosage:   30        31 ± 1.5 41 ± 1                                     mg heparin                                                                    per dog                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 2-4

A sheet of mucoadhesive (50% CARBOPOL 934P, 30 VISTANEX L100; 30%VISTANEX LMMH; prepared according to the solvent casting methoddescribed above) was die cut into rings having an outer diameter of 2.52cm, an inner diameter of 1.38 cm and a thickness of 1 to 1.4 mm. A layerof TEGADERM™ surgical dressing was laminated to one side of themucoadhesive ring such that only the mucoadhesive was overlaid withbacking and the open area in the center was not overlaid. A layer ofMICROPORE™ surgical tape (3M Company) was laminated to the same side ofthe ring such that both the open area and the mucoadhesive/backinglaminate portion were overlaid.

Using the general method set forth above in connection with Tablet 1, aseries of bulk powder formulations containing low molecular weightheparin (mean molecular weight 5300 daltons with anti Xa of 144units/mg, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain) was prepared then compressed byhand to form tablets. The composition of the individual tablets is shownin Table 17 below where all amounts are in mg. Each tablet was placedinto the reservoir portion of a device.

In vivo delivery of low molecular weight heparin from these devices wasthen determined using the dog model described above. Two devices, eachcontaining the same tablet formulation, were used in each dog. Theresults are shown in Table 18 below where the values are the averagefrom 4 dogs (Examples 3 and 4) or six dogs (Example 2).

                  TABLE 17                                                        ______________________________________                                                         Example Number                                               Ingredient         2        3      4                                          ______________________________________                                        CARBOPOL 934P sodium salt                                                                         3.7      3.7    3.7                                       Heparin LMW        22.4     22.4   22.4                                       Sodium dodecyl sulfate                                                                           14.9     11.2   11.2                                       Sodium chloride    0        0       3.7                                       Sorbitol           0         3.7   0                                          ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 18                                                        ______________________________________                                        Mean Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                      Time                                                                          (hours) Example 2     Example 3 Example 4                                     ______________________________________                                        0       0.05 ± 0.06                                                                              0.09 ± 0.06                                                                          0.03 ± 0.02                                1       0.06 ± 0.07                                                                              0.09 ± 0.03                                                                          0.19 ± 0.05                                2       0.11 ± 0.04                                                                              0.17 ± 0.07                                                                          0.23 ± 0.09                                3       0.15 ± 0.06                                                                              0.17 ± 0.06                                                                          0.24 ± 0.11                                4       0.13 ± 0.04                                                                              0.20 ± 0.07                                                                          0.24 ± 0.07                                5       0.13 ± 0.07                                                                              0.11      0.23 ± 0.10                                6       0.19 ± 0.09                                                                              0.07 ± 0.05                                                                          0.19 ± 0.07                                7       --            --        0.15 ± 0.06                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

A sheet of mucoadhesive (50% CARBOPOL 934P, 20 VISTANEX L100; 30%VISTANEX LMMH; prepared according to the solvent casting methoddescribed above) was die cut into rings having an outer diameter of 2.52cm, an inner diameter of 1.38 cm and a thickness of 1 to 1.4 mm. A layerof TEGADERM™ surgical dressing was laminated to one side of themucoadhesive ring such that the open area in the center was overlaid. Alayer of MICROPORE™ surgical tape was laminated to the same side of thering such that both the mucoadhesive and the reservoir portionwereoverlaid. A tablet having the same formulation as that of Example 4was placed in the reservoir of the device.

In vivo delivery of low molecular weight heparin from these devices wascompared with that from the devices of Example 4 using the dog modeldescribed above with cross over administration in a single dog. Theresults are shown in Table 19 below.

                  TABLE 19                                                        ______________________________________                                        Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                           Time (hours)   Example 4 Example 5                                            ______________________________________                                        0              0.05      -0.03                                                1              0.22      0.04                                                 2              0.18      0.47                                                 3              0.13      0.51                                                 4              0.16      0.43                                                 5              0.15      0.37                                                 6              0.15      0.29                                                 7              --        0.26                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

A sheet of mucoadhesive (50% CARBOPOL 934P, 6.25% NATSYN 2210, and43.75% VISTANEX LMMH; prepared according to the two-roll milling methoddescribed above) was die cut into rings having an outer diameter of 2.52cm, an inner diameter of 1.38 cm and a thickness of 1 to 1.4 mm. A layerof TEGADERM™ surgical dressing was laminated to one side of themucoadhesive ring such that the open area in the center was overlaid. Alayer of MICROPORE™ surgical tape was then laminated to the same side ofthe ring such that both the mucoadhesive and the reservoir portion wereoverlaid.

A gel was prepared according to the method set forth above in connectionwith Gel Formulation 1. Laureth-9 and low molecular weight heparin(molecular weight 3949 with anti Xa of 113 units/mg, Bioiberica,Barcelona, Spain) were then incorporated. The formulation was frozen at-20° C. then lyophilized using a LYOVAC GT2 (Leybold-Heraeus GMBH). Thelyophilized material was ground to provide a powder that contained 15.3percent by weight of CARBOPOL 934 P sodium salt (3.64 mg/unit), 28.2percent by weight of Laureth-9 (7.0 mg/unit) and 56.4 percent by weightof low molecular weight heparin (14.0 mg/unit). The powder was loadedinto the reservoir portion to afford a device substantially asillustrated in FIG. 3.

In vivo delivery from these devices was then determined using the dogmodel described above. Two devices were placed on each dog. The resultsare shown in Table 20 below.

                  TABLE 20                                                        ______________________________________                                        Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                           Time                                                                          hours   Dog 1   Dog 2   Dog 3 Dog 4 Dog 5 Dog 6                               ______________________________________                                        0       0.05    -0.02   -0.03 0.01  -0.01 -0.14                               1       0.15    0.06    0.14  0.03  0.11  -0.05                               2       0.41    0.33    0.48  0.00  0.09  0.03                                3       0.64    0.52    0.74  0.05  0.14  0.18                                4       0.63    0.61    0.90  0.17  0.26  0.23                                5       0.77    0.71    0.91  0.32  0.36  0.28                                6       0.85    0.70    0.91  0.37  0.29  0.34                                7       0.79    0.73    0.81  0.42  0.14  0.34                                8       0.70    0.54    0.80  --    --    0.37                                Heparin 1.94    1.84    1.87  1.68  1.44  1.58                                dose                                                                          mg/Kg                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Example 7

A sheet of mucoadhesive (30% CARBOPOL 934P, 61.25% VISTANEX LMMH, 8.75%NATSYN 2210, prepared according to the milling process described above)was die cut into rings having an outside diameter of 2.52 cm and aninside diameter of 1.38 cm. A backing player was applied as described inExample 6. A rubber ring having a wall thickness of 0.026 cm was thenplaced inside the mucoadhesive ring.

A gel formulation according to Gel Formulation 2 was prepared and filledinto the cavity of the device. The filled device (substantially asillustrated in FIG. 3) was frozen at -53° C. and lyophilized in a LYOVACGT2 apparatus. The lyophilized patch was tested according to the InVitro Penetration Test Method set forth above using a 5 cm² diffusioncell. The results are shown in Table 21 below, where each number is theaverage of 3 independent determinations.

                  TABLE 21                                                        ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Release                                            Time (hours)   Mean                                                           ______________________________________                                        1              57.7 ± 2.5                                                  3              88.0 ± 5.9                                                  5              93.6 ± 8.3                                                  24             99.7 ± 8.2                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

A bulk powder formulation was prepared by slowly adding laureth 9 toCARBOPOL 934P sodium salt (prepared as described above) in a mortar. Lowmolecular weight heparin was then added. The powder contained, per unit,2.8 mg CARBOPOL 934P sodium salt, 7.0 mg laureth 9, and 14.0 mg lowmolecular weight heparin (BF-611, Bioiberica, Barcelona, Spain). A patchas described in Example 6 containing this powder was prepared.

A patch containing a lyophilized powder was prepared according toExample 6 above.

The two patches were tested according to the In Vitro Penetration TestMethod set forth above. The results are shown in Table 22 below, whereeach number is the average of 3 independent determinations.

                  TABLE 22                                                        ______________________________________                                        Cumulative Percent Heparin Release                                                                     Lyophilized                                          Time (hours)   Powder    Powder                                               ______________________________________                                        1              56.7 ± 3.1                                                                           48.8 ± 2.0                                        3              69.8 ± 3.4                                                                           74.7 ± 1.5                                        5              70.1 ± 3.7                                                                           79.8 ± 1.9                                        24             72.8 ± 2.7                                                                           87.5 ± 1.9                                        ______________________________________                                    

The devices described above were also tested in the In Vivo Dog Model.Results are shown below.

                  TABLE 23                                                        ______________________________________                                        Anti Xa Activity (anti Xa units/mL)                                           Dog 1                   Dog 2                                                 Time            Lyophilized        Lyophilized                                hours  Powder   Powder      Powder Powder                                     ______________________________________                                        0      0.02     0.04        0.13   0.02                                       1      0.02     0.18        0.19   0.23                                       2      0.15     0.32        0.19   0.36                                       3      0.22     0.51        0.25   0.50                                       4      0.37     0.57        0.29   0.41                                       5      0.37     0.69        0.32   0.49                                       6      0.44     0.70        0.39   0.52                                       7      0.45     0.68        0.31   0.40                                       8      0.43     0.70        0.28   0.41                                       ______________________________________                                    

What is claimed is:
 1. A drug delivery device comprising:a gel, powder,or tablet matrix comprising a therapeutically effective amount of aheparinic anticoagulant, and an outer mucoadhesive portion disposedperipherally to the matrix, thereby forming a reservoir within which thematrix is disposed, said mucoadhesive portion being sufficient tomaintain the matrix in direct contact with a mucosal surface for a timesufficient to allow release of the heparinic anticoagulant to themucosal surface.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the heparinicanticoagulant is a low molecular weight heparin.
 3. A device accordingto claim 1 wherein the heparinic anticoagulant has an average molecularweight between about 1000 and about 7500 daltons.
 4. A device accordingto claim 1 wherein the heparinic anticoagulant has an average molecularweight between about 3500 and about 5500 daltons.
 5. A device accordingto claim 1 wherein the heparinic anticoagulant is selected from thegroup consisting of dalteparin sodium, enoxaparin sodium, nadroparincalcium, parnaparin sodium, reviparin sodium and tinzaparin sodium.
 6. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the heparinic anticoagulant ispresent in the matrix in an amount of about 1 to about 95 percent byweight based on the total weight of the matrix.
 7. A device according toclaim 1 wherein the matrix is in the form of a gel.
 8. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the matrix is in the form of a tablet.
 9. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the matrix is in the form of apowder.
 10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the matrix is in theform of a lyophilized powder.
 11. A device according to claim 1 whereinthe matrix further comprises a penetration enhancer.
 12. A deviceaccording to claim 11 wherein the penetration enhancer is selected fromthe group consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate, laureth 9, sodiumdeoxycholate, sodium tauro-24,25-dihydrofusidate, palmitoyl DL carnitinechloride, dodecanoyl L-α-phosphatidyl choline, polyoxyethylene 20stearyl ether and polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether.
 13. A device accordingto claim 11 wherein the penetration enhancer is present in the matrix inan amount of about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight based on thetotal weight of the matrix.
 14. A device according to claim 1 whereinthe mucoadhesive comprises:i) a particulate polymeric resin with anaverage particle size of less than or equal to about 100 μm andcomprising at least about 55 percent by weight of carboxylic acidmoieties based on the total weight of the polymeric resin; and ii) fromabout 20 parts to about 250 parts by weight of a hydrophobic elastomericcomponent, based on 100 parts by weight of the resin, wherein the resinis dispersed substantially throughout the elastomeric component andwherein the mucoadhesive contains less than about 10% by weight of waterbased on the total weight of the resin.
 15. A device according to claim1, comprising:i) a backing layer, ii) a matrix adjacent one surface ofthe backing layer and comprising a therapeutically effective amount of aheparinic anticoagulant, the matrix having a smaller periphery than thebacking layer, wherein a portion of the backing layer extends outwardfrom the periphery of the matrix, and iii) a mucoadhesive layer thatcovers at least part of the outward extending portion of the backinglayer.
 16. A device according to claim 1, comprising:i) a backing layer;ii) a matrix adjacent one surface of the backing layer and comprising atherapeutically effective amount of a heparinic anticoagulant; iii) amucoadhesive about the periphery of the matrix; and iv) a barrierelement intermediate the matrix and the mucoadhesive.